Going for a beauty makeover? 5 tips to avoid an unpleasant experience

We discussed going for beauty makeovers once where I asked you if you enjoyed going for makeovers. Opinions were divided, as they usually are, but everyone agreed that they can sometimes be fun and also a good way to learn new makeup techniques, or try out a new look.

I went for one last week and I was reminded why I am picky about these makeover things. I ended up getting a couple of spots after that, and I wasn’t happy! So, if you go for a makeover, here are a couple of things I suggest you look out for or insist upon. If you have your own tips to share, please do! We could all benefit from shared experiences.

Are the makeup brushes clean?

I believe I broke out from face makeup brushes that weren’t cleaned or not properly cleaned. This is especially so when liquid foundation is used. At previous makeovers I went for, the brushes used were clean and fresh. This time, I don’t think it was and I really should have said something at the point, but failed to. So, insist on a clean makeup brush beforehand or risk breaking out.

This applies to eye makeup and lip makeup as well. Eye and lip infections can transfer from one person to another via shared makeup brushes and applicators, which is why you shouldn’t share your makeup. This applies to makeovers as well. The eye brushes should be cleaned and sanitized between uses and the ones used on your eyes should be clean. You can and should ask beforehand.

No mascara straight from the tube

If a disposable mascara wand is not produced, I always choose to reject mascara application. It creeps me out to have a mascara wand used on my eyes, that may have been used on countless numbers of women before me. Not only is the mascara contaminated, the wand may be too and it can transfer bacteria and infections from one person to another. Never ever allow mascara to be applied straight from the tube on your eyes.

No lipstick straight from the tube

The one thing this makeover got right was in not using the lipstick straight from the tube on my lips. That gives me the heebie-jeebies too! Usually, proper technique will dictate that the makeup artist scrapes off the top layer of the lipstick, discards it, then scrapes off a bit with a spatula and then apply it onto your lips with a lip brush. Note that the latter should also be clean because it is incredibly easy to spread lip infections if a brush isn’t clean!

Did the makeup artist sanitize their hands?

I noticed that most top makeup artists from most major cosmetics brands will sanitize their hands before they start their work. The makeover I went for was for a major cosmetics brand, but this makeup artist did not. It doesn’t bug me, but I think it is good practise.

Don’t be afraid to speak up

Don’t like your foundation shade? Don’t like the eye colour or how it looks? Is the makeup too much for you? Don’t be afraid to speak up and say so. In my case, the makeup artist did his darnest to get me to use a foundation shade that I knew I couldn’t use. He told me everything from how my preferred shade would accentuate my pigmentation, to how it would make me look too pink. But I stood my ground. No, I cannot wear yellow based foundation, never mind that I’m Chinese and have yellow tones. I will just end up looking sallow and dull. He relented and the final result was to my satisfaction, and much to his chagrin, he had to admit I got it right. So, if you don’t like something, or know your foundation shade, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You are the one having to walk around with the makeup at the end of the day!

What do you look out for when you go for a makeover? Have you had a bad experience after a makeover, and how has that affected your perceptions of makeovers?

After my makeover, I went straight home, and washed off my makeup but the next day, I discovered 3 little spots on 3 different parts of my face. They went off after 2 days, but it made me unhappy because I’ve had very lovely experiences at makeovers most of the time, and this one quite spoilt it for me. So, I thought it might be a good time to share how a process that makes you look good can also make you feel bad thereafter.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed. Now you know what to look out for! Your turn to share your tips! 🙂

Great advice dear. I’ve never thought of these too extensively before. Sorta fancy an exclusive make over. Just because the luxury feeling of having your make up done & extra tips by them.
It makes me more cautious now. Anyhow, while each make up artist is individual & unique in there art work, we can probably learn the tricks n tips from the internet, very similar to those done in real life.
Thanks for the post. And enjoy the rest of the week. 🙂

Oh makeovers are fun especially when they are done well. It can make you feel and look like a million bucks! Here’s a tip – go early and make your appointment to be the first in line. This way, you can be very sure that everything is fresh and clean because you’re the first customer! 😀

My worst makeover experience was the Bobbi Brown Pretty Powerful… it turned out to be literally “pretty powder-ful” in every sense of the word. >.<

But yes, I do realize that MUAs from several counter brands just using used brushes on other people's faces, but to my experience they disinfect the products instead. So… they should have disinfected both the brushes and the products as well?

Haha oh dear, must have left a pretty lasting impression on you! To be honest, I’d rather they disinfect the brushes instead of products if they could just do one. I have noticed that most department store brands don’t have clean brushes which is why I never ever agree to try products on my face at the counter. I also never try on the products on my face, just on my hands. Too much bacteria, whether disinfected or not >.<

thought i have typed it longer but it seems to have disappeared! i am especially skeptical about the lip brush they use. can’t help to worry about the lips’ condition of the person before me ><xin recently blogged…Beautiful & Smooth Play Date from Ciaté

Yep! This is why I look at the brush before they use it. It’s quite easy to tell a clean brush from a dirty one. I’ve been for makeovers where they clean and disinfect the brush in front of me. That, at least, inspires confidence!

Great post! I didn’t do a lot of beauty makeovers, I haven’t done one in years.
My main problem is speaking up, I’m always afraid to sound rude/unpleasant. So that’s why I more than once went home after a makeover looking ridiculous.
If I go to another one soon I’ll keep your tips in mind 🙂

Thank you S 🙂 I know what you mean about speaking up. I felt a little rude myself telling the makeup artist that whilst I appreciated his thoughts, I much preferred my choice of foundation. The last time I didn’t speak up, I looked like a bruised clown with an orange tan. Awful! >.<

I have not had a bad experience at makeovers, but touchwood, so I am not sure if I will actually speak up if I see something not quite right.

But I do scrutinise, even for simple things like lipstick-testing. I am watch the MUA, and make sure she at least spritz sanitizer and wipe the top of the lipstick.

I do make it a point to only test (on face) at counters with top notch habits. I do believe that this sanitising habit stems from the brand’s SOPs. So far, only Guerlain Duty-free Shop, and Shisedo Tangs, meet my expectations. The rest just seem to be sanitising for the sake of doing so, and perhaps because I somewhat stare. Yes, I can be quite exacting when it comes to safety.

I have learned not to request test on face at all those other counters that don’t clean their testers. I still visit and swatch, but hell no testing on face.

Guerlain DFS actually completely chop off their lipsticks, and will always insist on swatching with their tools, for you. The Shisedo Tangs that I go to, also uses a scalpel to shave off lipstick every single time. And of the times I visit them, I always find all their testers looking brand new, and freshly cut.PositivelyNice recently blogged…Purple Candle from Bangkok – How to remove candle wax to get the jar

Honestly, I’d never test anything on my face at a counter. I usually just decline and test it on my hand because there’s no telling who has touched the items and what cooties they may have! That said, the practice you have described of ensuring clean fresh lipsticks at the counter is very reassuring. I don’t usually pay attention to these things at the counter, but I’m very particular about it during a makeover 🙂

Ugh I can only imagine how dirty these things are.. If you’re at an event and they’re doing makeovers at a pace.. no way do I see them grabbing clean brushes. Disgusting really.Philippe recently blogged…20 Things you didn’t know about me (I think)

oh my last experience with make up artist was terrible.it was 3 years ago when i was graduating from school.it was very special day for me and actually at that time i almost didnt know anything about make up so i had to go to make up artist.but she made very heavy eye make up with greens and blacks and it was not that make up can be worn with school uniform .it was that terrible that i wiped it off and even with bare face i looked thousand times better.since then i cannot risk and do my own make up myself for special occasions.thanks god i have learnt a lot about make up since then and at least i know what suits me and what not.

Oh my Sevinj, that sounds like a terrible experience! How did she ever think that a heavy smokey eye look would work for school eh? I am usually quite relaxed about how a makeup artist does my look for me, provided I don’t have anywhere important to go after that 😀 It’s good to know also that you’ve worked out what works for you! That’s so important.

Over the counter makeovers are one of the things i hate. I dont even share makeup with family and friends,i almost always sanitize my makeup brushes and makeup after every use,im ocd but thats just with makeup and skincare stuff.lol! Im thankful though some of the department stores in my area now use cottonbuds for color matching,(whew!) but other than that i would stay away from makeovers that involve brushes,and mascara wands.no thank u!